MAUKU.—FATAL ACCIDENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6572, 9 December 1882, Page 6

MAUKU.—FATAL ACCIDENT.

CORONER'S INQUEST. An inquest was held here on Wednesday, December 6, to inquire into the death of Thomas James McFadden, who was killed by a fall from his horse. Mr. Thomas Jackson, R.M., was the coroner. A jury of twelve having been »Trorn, the father of deceased was called, and stated that his son left home on his pony, a smart one, on the morning of Tuesday at about eight o'clock in the morning in good health. He next saw him about an hour after, lying on the road near Mr. James Finlay's gate. He never spoke after he arrived. He was a good deal cut on the face and head. He was quite unconscious, and breathing very heavily. He sent to Pukekohe for Dr. Dalziel. They had him removed towards home, where the doctor, who wa3 waiting them, examined the deceased. The doctor left after doing what he could, and left instructions what to do. At five o'clock he again sent for the doctor, who remained for some time. Sat up all night with deceased, who was very restless and quite unconscious all night till he died about aeven in the morning.—.Tames Finley deposed that he wae at Mr. C. Kavanagh'e store on Tuesday morning about ten a.m., when a riderless pony came galloping to the door. Mr. Kavanagh mounted it, and rode in the direction it came from. Witness followed and saw Mr. Kavanagh coming back. He called witness, and found deceased lying on the road much cut and bruised *bout the he:id. They bathed his head and hands. He vras ijuite unconscious. They helped the deceased to hia father's house. From the appearance of the pony he should say it had failt'u and turned a somersault over the ri<l"r. He noticed marks on the road which have been cr.used by a boy being driggtfd along.—C. Kavanagh gave corroborative evidence. —Alexander McCollough • li-jiosed : I remember Tuesday, December 5. Thomas James McFadden came to our place at ahout half-past eight in the morning. We rode away together. Both our horses were rather spirited. We started for Mr. P. Kav.iuagh's place for block and tackle to kill n cow. We started at .1 canter, increase,! t:> a gallop. I'u'led up our horses after going to Kavanagh's, then back to Adolph's. We returned to Moor's, and on towards the Wesleyan Chapel, at a gallop. We then walked our horses a bit, th»u into a gallop again. On going along in from of Mr. Finley's place the deceased was pulling up his pony, when it stumbled and fell. I did not notice how, but tiie horse overtook me without its rider directly aft«r I pnlVd up. I found the deceased lying on his face, his arms under him. He was breathing a little, but did not speak. There was blood coming from his ear aud left eye. I turned his over. His head waa down the hill. I pot on my horse, and rode for his father, and told him of the accident. I did not see him fall from his horse. The horse stumbled about half a chain from where I found the body. We were both riding quick when the horse fell. The road was rough and rutted. I have ridden with decased before, both of us on the Mine horses. lam fifteen years old. —Dr. Dalzk'l deposed to having been called by J. McFadden to see his son, and found him suffering from injuries to his head and face. His left ear was torn from his head at both upprr aud portions, als > a bruise on the side of the ueck. The deceased was quite unconscious, and suffering from concussion of the brain. Have heard the evidence given, and am of opinion the cause ef death 'x.13 concussion of the brain, which might h=.ve been caused by such a fall as described.— The jury returned the following verdict :— " That the deceased, Thomas "James McFadden, whilst riding in company with Alexander McCollough, the pony he was riiling stumbled, and caused the deceased to fall violently to the ground, which was the me.in 3 of his death, and no blame is attached to anybody." As showing the energy of our worthy coroner, C.iptain Jackson, I may ?ay that he only received the information of the a'i«ive accident at his residence on the Great South-road at two p.m., and by six he had rid.len to Mauku, summoned a jury of fourteen, ar.d opened the inquest, and without the assistance of any constable. The affair has thrown quite » gloom on the neighbourhood, as the deceased was a quiet, steady youth, and a great help to his family.—[Own Correspondent, December 7.]